Escondidos Immigration Law Put On Hold

(A few weeks ago, Escondido, Calif. was one of the first cities in the nation to approve a law that banned landlords from renting to illegal immigrants. )

This was obviously a very controversial subject for the community due to a variety of factors.

San Diego is extremely close in proximity to Mexico, so illegal immigration has been an issue that always gets brought up amongst local government.

When the city council approved this ordinance a few weeks ago, many people were outraged, questioning the constitutionality of the law and wondering how it would even be enforced.

Many people lobbied that the law be revoked and now, the law has been put on hold until officials can look into the complexities further.

A November 17, 2006 article by J. Harry Jones of The San Diego Union Tribune, “Escondido illegal immigrant housing law put on hold 3-4 months by federal judge,” discusses the current status of this controversial law.

“Escondido's illegal immigrant housing ordinance was handed a stinging rebuke yesterday when a federal judge barred the city from enforcing the law. U.S. District Judge John A. Houston issued a temporary restraining order against the ordinance, which would punish landlords for renting to illegal immigrants.”

“It had been scheduled to go into effect today. The order freezes the law for 90 to 120 days, until a preliminary injunction hearing can be held.”

Houston was one of the people who were strongly opposed to having the law become actual reality.

“Critics of the ordinance say it is inhumane because it could force families into the street and could put landlords into the impossible position of having to violate federal and state housing laws by evicting people based on their legal status.”

Houston was very worried about the constitutionality of the law as well as the negative effects it could have on the community in general. He also brought into question the city manager’s authority to re-write the law when it was approved last month.

Although the law has been put on hold for the next few months, there are many people who are in support of it.

“Proponents of the ordinance have said it could help deal with thousands of illegal immigrants living in Escondido. They say the immigrants cause overcrowding and crime, and create pockets of poverty.”

City officials seem confident that the law will ultimately be put in place for good.

“A statement the city released last night said Escondido officials were ‘unperturbed’ by the ruling. ‘A court will often determine that putting everything on hold while legal issues are decided is a very prudent measure,’ said City Attorney Jeffrey Epp. ‘We will now shift our attention to resolving the key legal issues as expeditiously as possible, so the ordinance can be implemented.’”

The law will stay on hold for the nest few months, and if the case does end up going to trial, Houston will be the residing judge over the case.

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